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PNM warns customers about phone payment scam

Sun-News report

Posted:
02/13/2013 07:15:06 PM MST

SILVER CITY — PNM is warning customers about a phone scam where a caller asks customers to purchase a PayPal money card or a prepaid gift card from a retailer and provide the card number over the phone to avoid a service disconnection.

Several PNM customers recognized the scam and reported the incidents to PNM and authorities. While PNM does make outgoing calls to notify customers of pending disconnects, most calls are recorded messages and offer customers the option to make a payment or request a payment extension through the automated system. On occasion, PNM makes live outgoing calls to customers to collect a past due payment. In those cases, customers will be asked for a payment, but never advised to purchase prepaid gift cards, or PayPal money cards. They will be instructed to pay an authorized PNM payment station, via PNM's automated system or online at www.pnm.com.

What you can do to protect yourself:

1. A call from PNM typically is displayed on the customer's caller ID.

2. Check your bill. The amount the caller is asking for should match your bill.

3. If you are not sure if the call is coming from PNM, hang up the phone and call PNM at 888-DIAL-PNM (888-687-7854).

PNM advises customers to pay bills using their normal methods (such as on PNM.com or through their bank) and to take precautions to verify that the caller is really from PNM before giving out financial information.